Prominent Sask. artist John Kerns goes back to Regina on Friday at The Exchange along with famous Canadian punk-rockers, The Black Halos. Released Sep 20, 2023 – Last upgraded 4 hours ago – 5 minute checked out The Black Halos (L-R): Rich Jones, Jay Millette, Danni Action, John Kerns and Billy Hopeless. Provided image. Picture by Michael Amaral Veteran bassist John Kerns was a huge fan of The Black Halos for over 20 years prior to he assisted release their resurgence in 2019-20. Kerns initially ended up being an admirer of the Canadian punk-rock leaders throughout his time with The Age of Electric, a popular Regina-based rock band that was active from 1989 to 1998. The groups crossed courses on numerous events for many years and ultimately ended up being good friends. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to check out the current news in your city and throughout Canada. Limitless online access to posts from throughout Canada with one account. Get unique access to the Regina Leader-Post ePaper, an electronic reproduction of the print edition that you can share, download and talk about. Delight in insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our acclaimed reporters. Assistance regional reporters and the next generation of reporters. Daily puzzles consisting of the New York Times Crossword. SIGN UP FOR UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to check out the current news in your city and throughout Canada. Unrestricted online access to short articles from throughout Canada with one account. Get unique access to the Regina Leader-Post ePaper, an electronic reproduction of the print edition that you can share, download and discuss. Delight in insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our acclaimed reporters. Assistance regional reporters and the next generation of reporters. Daily puzzles consisting of the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or check in to continue with your reading experience. Gain access to posts from throughout Canada with one account. Share your ideas and sign up with the discussion in the remarks. Delight in extra short articles monthly. Get e-mail updates from your preferred authors. Kerns does not particularly keep in mind the very first time he saw The Black Halos, he does have a vibrant recollection of his preferred efficiency by the band. It was at the 2001 Snow Jam Festival in Halifax, where Kerns was representing a group called Static in Stereo (together with his bros Todd and Ryan). “This was right after 9-11,” Kerns remembered throughout a phone interview from Toronto. “I keep in mind due to the fact that all these bands that were expected to be headlining did disappoint up since they didn’t wish to fly. We were currently out east and we got bumped up (in the lineup). We were practically headlining.” Not just was it a terrific chance, it likewise set the phase for a remarkable encounter with The Black Halos. Kerns keeps in mind bring up to the location, climbing up out of the van and finding Halos guitar player Rich Jones, who was 3 sheets to the wind. “I stated, ‘Hey friend, what’s up?’ And he goes, ‘I’ve vomitted 3 times!'” Kerns remembered with a laugh. “They were soooo intoxicated. (Lead vocalist) Billy (Hopeless) might hardly connect his shoes. I resembled, ‘Oh God, this is going to be a catastrophe’ (however) it was the best program they ever played. It blew my mind. I keep in mind (speaking with) Rich a month later on when I encountered him once again. I stated, ‘Man, you men were amazing that night’ and he goes, ‘Dude, I just keep in mind half of it; all I keep in mind is that we offered more merch that night than we ever offered in our lives.’ “That’s one of my preferred memories of The Black Halos.” By registering you grant get the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. We ask forgiveness, however this video has actually stopped working to load. The band definitely made an impression on Kerns, who’s part of their most current reincarnation. He and Danni Action were hired about 4 years earlier when initial members Jones, Hopeless and Jay Millette returned together after a prolonged hiatus. “I believe we missed out on each other,” laughed Hopeless, who co-founded the band in 1993. “It’s type of like completion of Seinfeld; nobody else might manage us. We put the enjoyable in disfunction for sure. Nobody else might deal with taking a trip and remaining in a band that long with us. I believe you ‘d go ridiculous.” Kerns is up to the obstacle. “They’ve been our friends for a long period of time,” he stated. “It’s amusing due to the fact that we were all Vancouver men, although none people were from Vancouver. That’s where we were when this (music) scene was occurring. Rich and I both occurred to transfer to Toronto at about the very same time. I understood I didn’t actually have a great deal of buddies here. Rich resembled, ‘I do not either’ so we began spending time a lot. We were constantly good friends however then we ended up being buddies. It simply became that Rich and Billy chose to put the Black Halos back together and Rich asked me, ‘Would you be intrigued?’ I stated, ‘Absolutely! I’m a huge Black Halos fan so I ‘d enjoy to be included.'” Helpless was on board too, describing Kerns as a “wish-list” coup for the band. “I believe he’s one of the very best bass gamers in Canada,” stated Hopeless. “He’s excellent. There’s something about Prairie individuals. I’ve constantly stated it: Solid individuals, constructed strong, and a great deal of enjoyable too.” Helpless, who has household ties to Swift Current, is the only member of The Black Halos still living in Vancouver while the rest remain in Toronto. They’re excited to strike the roadway today for a quick Western Canadian trip that starts in Edmonton prior to dropping in Regina on Friday night at The Exchange. It’s a homecoming for Kerns, who was born in Manitoba however invested his teenage years in Lanigan prior to striking the roadway. “When individuals ask me where I’m from, I constantly state Saskatchewan,” he kept in mind. “I’ll have some buddies (at Friday’s program) for sure and I’ll certainly have some family members that will make it out.” Momentum is constructing for The Black Halos, who launched a brand-new album in 2015 (How the Darkness Doubled). There’s more music possibly en route, however they’re not devoting to a full-time return. “It’s simply sort of occasionally,” stated Kerns. “When chances provide themselves, we go. It’s not like we’re attempting to dominate the world or anything. We’re not in our 20s any longer. We’re in our 40s and 50s. We’re at that age where it’s sort of like, ‘Let’s have a good time.’ That’s what we’re doing.” The Black Halos (L-R): John Kerns, Jay Millette, Billy Hopeless, Danni Action and Rich Jones. Provided image. Picture by Michael Amaral Although Kerns is hectic with a full-time building and construction gig in Toronto, music stays an enthusiasm. He does some session deal with the side in addition to his responsibilities with the Halos. “When it’s not enjoyable is the day I stop,” he stated. “I did pick up a while (about ten years ago) due to the fact that it wasn’t enjoyable. I did it for a very long time and after that you understand you’re playing in bands you do not like and having fun with individuals you do not like. It was simply sort of like, ‘Yeah, I’m not truly into this any longer.’ I was simply made with the hustle.” A chance with some olds friends altered his tune. “We truly are buddies,” he stated of the Halos. “So numerous bands are simply a lot of people assembled however we’re really pals and I like socializing with these people. I like having fun with Black Halos up until they inform me to stop playing.” Kerns is likewise on excellent terms with his previous mates from The Age of Electric. The Juno-winning band had a quick reunion in 2016-17 including John and Todd Kerns with the Dahle siblings, Ryan and Kurt, from Regina. “I matured with those men,” Kerns stated. “We were pals long prior to we were a band. I keep in mind going to an Iron Maiden performance with Ryan Dahle in 1986 (at the previous Agridome in Regina). We really got front row. I utilized to hang out all the time with the Dahle bros.” That relationship ultimately developed into The Age of Electric. “It was enjoyable as hell,” he stated. “We had a great run. It’s the very same old, usual– egos, and cash naturally. That’s what normally separates most bands. We separated at the worst time, right when we were the most popular, however that’s how it goes. “Something might take place (in the future). We’re all still friends so you never ever understand.” gharder@postmedia.com THE BLACK HALOS (With The Real Sickies) Fri., Sept 22, 8 p.m. The Exchange Tickets at theexchangelive.ca
Previous Age of Electric bassist John Kerns discovers brand-new proportion with old pals from The Black Halos
